Wireless charging standards are about to get a lot less frustrating

By John Callaham
last updated

Two of the three competing wireless charging standards groups, The Alliance for Wireless Power and the Power Matters Alliance, have revealed plans to merge, with the agreement expected to close sometime in mid-2015.

The merged group will operate under a new name when the agreement is closed. The press release says:

One of the main objectives of the new organization is to accelerate the transition to volume economies of scale of wireless power transfer technology to benefit consumers, mobile network operators, consumer-facing commercial and retail brands, and the consumer electronics industry, including its semiconductor and manufacturing partners. Consumers will gain access to an exciting and enhanced battery charging and power management experience sooner across the full spectrum of devices in daily use.

Previously, the Alliance for Wireless Power included members such as Intel and Samsung while the Power Matters Alliance includes AT&T, Duracell, Starbucks and Powermat. However, the leading wireless standard group continues to be the odd one out: The Wireless Power Consortium, which champions the popular Qi standard that is used inside a number of Android devices, including the Nexus 6, Nexus 7 and Droid Maxx.

Source: Rezence

John Callaham
John Callaham
43 Comments
  • Can we just use Qi, please? Just make it the standard like USB and let's move on so third party makers can not have to worry about which wireless standard to put into their devices.
  • I'd just prefer they actually agree upon the best and most flexible standard, and I'm sort of with the main players in the industry, thinking Qi sucks. It just got out there first, but it's honestly barely wireless charging.
  • Qi works just fine for me, and it looks like I'm not alone. Posted from my Nexus 5 via Android Central App
  • Why do you say it sucks? And how do you mean it's barely wireless charging?? The Moto360 has QI, and unlike other watches, it has no physical contacts needed to charge.
    Nexus devices have QI, and they can charge THROUGH cases.
    Additionally, QI v2 is reportedly going to increase the distance that the charging operates at. Posted via the Android Central App
  • I'm not trying to be obtuse, really, but why does Qi suck?
  • I'm with everyone else, I've had no issues with Qi whatsoever. Who is saying that Qi sucks other than people who would have a conflict of interest (i.e. the people who make competing products)?
  • Can you cite these main industry players of which you speak, and list their affiliation with each wireless charging technology? If the "players" you're listening to are affiliated with any one of the technologies, you have to assume bias in their opinion. It seems this is pretty obviously the 2nd and 3rd place players teeming up to pose a stronger defense against the 1st.
  • What players in the industry hate Qi? I have not had a single issue with Qi charging, and I wouldn't buy a device that had one of the other two standards. Posted via the Android Central App on the 2nd Gen. Moto X
  • Why can't we all just be qi? Posted via the Android Central App
  • So the only one that really matters isn't part of the group? Great...
  • Wait, they're were THREE? Just give us QI!!
  • If one of the larger manufacturers actually delivered wireless charging right out of the box, instead of having to buy an additional back panel, they could pick the standard that would take over.
  • Think Motorola!
  • Think Nexus, but Moto's doing great.
  • Nokia did that on the likes of their Nokia L820, L920, L930 and L1520. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Nexus Posted via Android Central App
  • Hmm, the two that are nowhere have merged, and still have no point to exist. Pretty much everything QI based these days.
  • QI is the only standard people care about nowadays, so let's just go with that moving forward and save money and time.
  • I hate to say it, but apple needs to just make their decision and end this. They'll probably pick the wrong one though, because they're apple. Wubba lubba dub dub!
  • I hate that you said it but i agree. I feel that they would pick Power Matters Alliance because they would fit right in with the likes of AT&T and Starbucks. Or worse they'll come up with their own standard and further the divide.
  • It's funny how apple used to be all open standards but now there so going to make a proprietary standard Posted via the Android Central App
  • When was Apple EVER open standards?
    Apple has always been for their own standards. They used to even manufacturer their own CPUs, but adopted PC hardware when it became obvious that it was cheaper for their business model. Even then, they still imposed a restriction so their OS would only work on their hardware.
    Apple has never been about OPEN standards, but rather about trying to make THEIR OWN standard THE standard (and charging/licensing for its use... which is inherently NOT "open").
    Even with cords like iPod/iPhone cords, Apple has imposed closed restrictions (such as proprietary chips) so that third-parties can't manufacturer their own, but instead must purchase components through Apple. Posted via the Android Central App
  • have you ever built a Macintosh before 2003? lol
  • People need to STOP letting Apple dictate anything.
    If Apple had it's way, there would never be a standard, but instead the wireless tech would be proprietary and licensed through Apple.
    And never backwards compatible, but continuously rotating so that every few years you have to buy all new overpriced cords and accessories from Apple. DO NOT GIVE APPLE A CHANCE IN HELL TO HAVE ANY SAY IN THIS. Posted via the Android Central App
  • I agree but i think you are yelling in the wrong forum.
  • I was just thinking this. Once Apple integrates... I mean, invents, wireless charging we will see it gain popularity. Unfortunately I highly doubt they will use the popular Qi standard, because Apple.
  • like apple pay? lmao
    they out did themselves with that one. nfc, who would have thought
  • Not invents, innovates Posted by my soon to be retired Note 3
  • Pick one? Apple is going to make their own magic one that is better than everyone else!
  • Another vote for Qi here. Can the others just die please. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Whatever uses the thinnest technology is what I want. I don't care how fast it is since I charge overnight. Being that I have a few Qi chargers I guess I am happy with it. I am definitely not going to use a case or something bulky in order to have wireless charging though.
  • Qi Posted via Android Central App
  • Wish att would just use QI that way I don't have to buy two charging stations for my phone and tablet Posted via Android Central App
  • I don't see why this is complicated. The defacto standard is Qi because, well, that's what is getting used. I see other charging pads and so forth, but nothing that uses them. May as well face it - Qi is the VHS to everyone elses Betamax. Just as USB isn't particularly great but, being good enough it is ubiquitous, so is Qi.
  • Meh. Qi won this battle. They should just give up.
    It's like partnering to try and make HDDVD relevant in a world of BluRay. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Except that many if not most people still buy and/or rent HDDVDs and just about nobody uses anything other than Qi.
  • I like Qi. It works perfectly. I cannot wait for the day we do get one standard format..and the Apple format - because the hell with universal right? Posted via the Android Central App
  • Great! Now EVERYONE will have to switch to the new standard which will likely be incompatible with either group's prior offering Posted via the Android Central App powered by Droid Turbo
  • As a correction, Palm had the first wireless charging. The Touchstone charger for the Palm Pre line gripped the phone with ultra strong magnets, and charged quickly. There was also a Touchstone charger / stand for their tablet that could be turned portrait or landscape, and both systems charged through a case. Special apps could start when placed on the charger too. They were ahead of their time. I think there are still patents that prevent their technology from being used elsewhere. Maybe sometime in the future either HP or LG (don't know which owns it) will do something with it. I now have a QI charger for my LG G2. It does charge, but makes the phone very hot (damaging the battery) and it slides off if not level.
  • I believe the Palm Touchstone used Qi tech. In fact, I am pretty sure that, without modification, the Touchstone will charge a Nexus 7. I have a vague recollection of a video on this site demoing it.
  • QI. Period. Nothing else. Move along. Posted via Android Central App
  • The only thing that is frustrating is phone manf. who try to charge $50 for a 'charging back' instead of just including the $.30 worth of parts in their phone to start with. Fix that and I am good.
  • Profits? How does it work? Posted by my soon to be retired Note 3